Archive of Eco-Church stories and inspiration
An archive of case studies and films to inspire and encourage you
We’re now a Bronze Eco-Diocese but we need more churches and congregations to register and gain an award in order to secure Silver Eco-Diocese status. You can find out why this matters in this article by the Chair of the Diocesan Eco-Group and Dean of St Asaph Cathedral, Nigel Williams: Eco Diocese article TA Dec 2021 web
Here are some case studies and films of churches already signed up and operating as Eco-Churches. Find out what they’ve done and see if their journey inspires you!
A recent silver award
The Church of the Holy Spirit in Prestatyn
The Church of the Holy Spirit in Prestatyn achieved a Silver Eco-Church award from A Rocha UK in August 2021. The dedicated congregation began clearing brambles at the back of the carpark only to find a discarded golf trolley, a roll of carpet and a set of arrows among other items. They have now planted Beech and Silver Birch samplings to create a new hedge for nesting birds, a herb garden and wildflower area.
Steve Ing, one of the instigators of the project said: “We decided at one of our MOB meetings, that’s Mission, Outreach, Belief, that we wanted to be an eco-church and our car-park offered the ideal space to create green areas. We’ve built benches from recycled wood and planted all sorts of flowers donated by the congregation. Already members of the community are stopping and chatting and spending time in the garden.” The congregation holds a Thursday afternoon outdoor session (photo left) for gardening, prayer and chat.
The first Silver award: Ss Cyndeyrn and Asaph in Llanasa
In February 2021, Ss Cyndeyrn and Asaph in Llanasa (Bryn a Môr Mission Area) became the first church in the diocese to become a Silver Eco-Church. To achieve this, the church:
- weeded and then planted bee-friendly flowers
- worked with the local conservation society to encourage natural wildlife, semi-wild fauna and flora
- welcomed the Probation Service to assist with churchyard maintenance
- ran a Lent course created by Operation Noah called Tenants of the King
Find out more from curate, Revd Gregor Lachlann-Waddell.
The first Bronze award: St Peter’s in Llanbedr
St Peter’s in Llanbedr (Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area) was the first church in the diocese to receive a Bronze Award in October 2020. They did this by:
- pruning overgrown trees
- managing parts of the churchyard for wildflowers
- creating an outdoor altar, using felled tree branches from the churchyard, and a meditation space
- working with the local church school to plant hundreds of spring bulbs
- installing benches made from felled tree branches from the churchyard
Find out more from the Vicar, Tad Huw Bryant
St Peter’s has now become a Silver Eco-Church.
In this film, Joe from Valle Crucis Mission Area, invites you on a walk up his local mountain to experience the beauty of God’s creation illustrating why by looking after it, we are looking after each other.
This film is also available to watch in Welsh.
These films supported the booklet, Caring for Each Other, Caring for God’s Acre, and you can find it here.
Not ready to sign up yet? Need some further help and advice? Please contact:
- Ryan Marsh – Churches Inspector
- Ceri Jones – DAC Secretary